How to Tell When You Need a New Car Battery
The battery in your car plays a critical role in its ability to function normally. When you go into your car and start it, the battery is what is going to give your engine the jolt it needs to turn over and start running. As the engine runs, the battery charges to maintain its power. The car battery also helps with running things like your heat and air conditioning, electronics, sound system, and more. But how do you know when it is time to replace your battery?
Signs That It’s Time for a New Car Battery
There are some clear indicators to pay attention to when it comes to your car battery. And when your battery starts to fail, you want to be aware of it early on. The more you ignore it, the more likely you could find yourself broken down somewhere because your battery does not have the power it needs to start your engine and keep it running.
Age of the Battery
The first sign of trouble when it comes to your car battery is going to be the age. A car battery is built to last, but not forever. Car batteries typically have a lifespan of around three to five years. Once you are beyond the five-year mark with your battery, you want to give serious thought to being proactive and having it replaced.
One of the easy ways to check on the age of your battery is to take a look at the amount of voltage the battery has. A voltage indicator of around 12.5 or higher is considered healthy when it comes to a car battery. When the voltage drops below this level, though, it could mean that the battery is starting to wear out. Professionals can work to perform a health check on your battery to see the state of it and its ability to keep on running strong.
Your Car Does Not Reliably Start
How reliable is the starting process for your vehicle? When you go out to your car in the morning and turn the key, is the car starting right up? Does it take a few tries before the engine turns over and it begins running properly? If you are seeing trouble with your car starting, that is likely an indicator that you need a new battery.
Jump Starting Becomes Normal
It is not normal to have to jump-start your vehicle routinely. When you need a jump start of your vehicle on a routine basis, it is a sign that you have a battery that is lacking health. Your car battery should be able to hold a charge so that when you go to start it, it has the ability to start right up. If your battery can no longer hold a charge, then your battery may be telling you that it is failing and needs to be replaced.
Get a Car Battery Replacement in Franklin, KY
The car battery is a critical component of your vehicle. It is responsible for getting your car started in the morning when you go out to take it to work, as well as keeping all of the electronics inside of the vehicle powered on. It needs to be able to hold a charge, then give out power before charging back up all over again.
Pay close attention to your vehicle so that you can stay on top of your battery and its needs. Be aware of when your car battery is starting to wear down. The quicker you take action, the sooner you can drive confidently. If you think your car battery needs a replacement, do not hesitate to contact our automotive team at Jimmy’s Car Care Center.
